Disk-shaped phonograph vending apparatus



Oct. 20, 1953 51-: s N 2,656,235

DISK-SHAPED PHONOGRAPH VENDING APPARATUS Filed May 16, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 20, 1953 F. SE BASTIAN DISK-SHAPED PHONOGRAPH VENDING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 16, 1952 INVENTOR. Ja /d 5%3455/4/2 BY Patented Oct. 20, 1953 DISK- SHAPED PHONOGRAPH VENDING APPARATUS Ford Se Bastian, Chicago, 111., assignor to Electro- Snap Switch & Mfg. 00., a corporation of Illinois Application May 16, 1952, Serial No. 288,183 A 6 Claims.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in disc-shaped phonograph recrd vending apparatuses especially designed for vending a phonograph record of the disc-shaped type enclosed within a package, without tearing, marring or breaking the package or record contained therein.

An object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus which will effect the vending of the disc-containing package with the minimum degree of labor and effort upon the part of the operator; and which will move the package along a substantially straight line in a, horizontal plane to a position where it may be readily and conveniently grasped by the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character which is substantially compact in structure, comprising the minimum number of parts and one which can be economically manufactured and sold on the market for a reasonable price.

' Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a cabinet within which are arranged a plurality of dispensing units;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the dispensing units;

Fig. 31s a plan view of the same;

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

.Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional detail view taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 5';

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a follower assembly embodied in the invention;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the parts arranged in different positions.

One of the objects of my invention as hereinbefore indicated is to provide an apparatus for vending a package containing a relatively flat disc-shaped phonograph record from the top of a stack of such packages. To accomplish this and other objects of my invention, I provide a plate II! from the corners of which extend upwardly, supporting posts ll. These posts ll provide a package storage chamber [2 in which is movable in a vertical plane a table l3 on which a stack 2 of record-containing packages 14 are arranged. This table 13 is urged in an upward direction within the storage compartment I2 by an expansion spring l5 having its opposite end portions arranged within opposed cups l6 carried by the plate I0 and the table I3, respectively. A central guide post I! is provided for the table 13. This guide post I? is movable through a guiding sleeve [8 carried by the plate In.

The plate I0 is mountedwithin a suitable cabinet I9, the front wall of which is provided with a dispensing slot 20. In the form of the cabinet shown in Fig. 1, the front wall provides a plurality of dispensing slots 20. The unit for dispensing a package containing a phonograph rec- 0rd, through these slots 20, is of common construction, the same being illustrated in perspective in Fig. 2. Corresponding posts of the posts I l which are located adjacent the inside surface of the front wall 2| of the cabinet l9, have connected thereto in any suitable manner a transversely extending bar 22, the top edge 23 of which is disposed slightly below the plane of the bottom surface of the uppermost package 24 of the stack of record packages l4, so that such top package may freely slide ,over the top edge 23 for projection through the adjacent slot 20.

The vending apparatus positioned in the cabinet IB is accessible through the back thereof, and may be loaded by manually depressing the table I3 in a downward direction against the action of the spring l5, thus exposing the storage chamber l2. The packages I4 are then stackedon the table l3 from the rear end of the apparatus. 7

Extending between the upper end portions of the posts II and in parallel relation with respect to each other, are relatively fiat bars 25 adjustably secured to the upper end portion of the posts II by bolt and slot connections 26. Between these bars 25 are arranged oppositely disposed guide bars 21. These bars 21 are of enlarged formation in cross section to provide opposite parallelly extending horizontally arranged flanges 2B. Carried by the depending flanges 29f of these bars21 by suitable pivot pins 30' are'rollers 30 which engage the top surface of the uppermost package 24, of the stack of packages [4. The flanges 28 support therebetween an ejector 3i.

1 As the stack of packages 14 carried by the plate I3 is forced upward due to the action of the spring Hi, the uppermost package 24 will engage the rollers 30, which rollers will prevent further upward movement of the stack of packages l4 and yet permit the package 24 to be ejected with the least amount of frictional resistance, the rollers merely rolling on the top side of the package 24 as it is thus ejected.

The ejector 3| comprises an upper plate 32 secured to a lower plate 33 in a manner such as to provide grooves 34 for the reception of the edge portions of the flanges 28, the plates 32 and 33 being spaced from each other by an intermediate plate35. The top plate 32 has a rearwardly extending portion 36 to which is secured in any suitable manner a U-shaped bracket 31, the limbs 36 of which are connected by a pin 39 to the limbs 40 of a similar U-shaped bracket 4! The bracket 4| is secured in any suitable manner to a follower plate 42 having a reversely bent end-portion 43 to provide a blade 44 for engagement with the adjacent edge portion 45 (Fig. 5)

of the top package 24. This plate 42 is normally urged to the position shown in Fig. 5 by a spring 46 embracing a screw bolt 4! carried by the top plate 32 and which bolt 41 projects through an opening formed in plate 35 and an enlarged opening 48 formed in the follower plate 42. By adjusting the screw bolt 41, the blade 44 may be adjusted properly to engage the adjacent edge 45 of the top package 24.

The plate 32 provides two forwardly extending fingers 49- arranged in parallel relation with respect to each other. These fingers 49 are adapted to engagelatch arms 50' formed as an integral part of a U-shaped bracket 50'pivotally carried and fixedly secured to a shaft 51. The ends of this shaft are journaled in suitable brackets 52 secured to the horizontal flanges 28. One end 53 of this shaft 5! is bent downwardly as at 54 to engage in a notch 55 of a plunger 56 of a solenoid 51. The bracket 561s normally disposed in a position with its latch arms 56' in position to be engaged by the fingers 49. This arrangement prevents operation of the ejector 3! to project the top package 24 through the slot 26 until. such time as the solenoid 51 is energized to pivot the shaft 51 in. an anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, thereby to dispose the latch-arms 56 from the path of movement of the fingers 49.

The ejector assembly 3| provides a stud. plate 58 which is secured to the top plate 32 in any suitablev manner. Secured to this stud plate 58 is an actuating shaft 59, the forward end of which moves through a suitable bearing 60 secured by a bracket 6| to the adjacent cross bar 25. This bearing 60. projects through the front wall 2! of the cabinet I9. On the outer end of the shaft, 5.9 forwardly of the bearing 66 is a finger knob 62 adapted to be grasped by the hand ofv the operator during vending operation. The ejector assembly 3i is normally disposed in. a rearward. position with respect to the stack of packages M by means of an expansion spring. 63 disposed between a fixedcollar 64 and the up standing wall 65 of the bracket 6|.

A. closure: for the slot 26 is. provided in the form of a plate 66-. This plate 66 is normallydisposed in a. cut-out portion. 61 provided in. the adjacent bar 22 in the. path of movement of the top package 24. This plate 66 prevents the insertion of an instrument or tool or the like in a fraudulent attempt to withdraw the uppermost pack age. 24. During vending operation of the package this plate 56 is pivoted from the path of movement of the uppermost package 24. This is accomplished in the following manner: The plate 66 is carried by an arm 68. which is pivoted by a pin 69 to a bracket H1 in turn. secured by spot welding to an S-shaped bracket II also secured by spot welding to the bar 25 (Figs. 5 and 8). The plate 66 is normally disposed in the position shown in Fig. 2 and is moved from such position by engagement of a finger 12 with a rearwardly projecting extension 13 carried by the arm 68. This finger l2 carried by and movable with the bracket 56.

A full-stroke device 14 is provided. This fullstroke device is of a well-known construction, comprising a latching pawl 16 adapted to engage'between'spaced latch heads 16' carried by the adjacent bar 21. In the bar 21, is formed an elongated slot ll into which the pawl 16 is adapted to pass at the end of a full stroke, so that the pawl 16 may freely pivot in a direction to permit the return of the ejector to its inner or rearmost position. The pawl 16 is pivoted by the action of a spring 18.

It is intended that the energization of the solenoid 5! take place when/a, circuit-is completed in a well-known manner to apower source, the completion of which circuit is effected by the deposit of a suitable coin. Suchcircuit has not been disclosed. because it does not constitute any part of the present invention.

In use, the table [3 is moved. downwardly against the action of the spring l5, to permit placing on the table a stack of packages 14 each containing a phonograph record of disc formation. The uppermost package 24 of the stack will. be disposed by action of the spring l5 with its rear edge in alignment with the blade 44. When the solenoid 5'! is energized, the plunger 56 will move in a direction to pivot the latch arms 50' in an upward direction from the path of movement of the fingers 49.. At the same time theplate 66 is pivoted from the path of. movement of the top package 24 of the'staek of packages l4. The ejector 3i is-nowreleased for movement. The operator grasps the finger knob 62 and pulls the shaft 59 outwardly longitudinally through the bearing 60. This movement of the shaft brings the blade 44 into contact with the rear edge of the uppermost package 24 of the stack of packages l4, whereby continued movement of the ejector projects the uppermost pack-- age 24 through the slot 20. a sufficient distance to enable the operator to grasp the package and then manually withdraw the package from the cabinet l9.

By this simple and compact arrangeme'nt, packages containing fiat phonograph record discs may be expeditiously vended to the public upon the deposit o the required coin.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this capable" of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I,v therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of con struction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of. the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

I. A machine for vending a package containing a relatively fiat. phonograph disc comprising a spring-elevated.relatively flat supporting table disposed in a substantially horizontal. plane and on which a stack of packages may be positioned. a guide structure above the table, a follower carried by the guide structure and movable in a horizontal plane overthe stack of packages said tableand including a blade adapted to engage an adjacent edge of said top package, means for manually moving said follower in a direction relative to said structure to remove said top package, latch means normally latching'thefollower against such movement, electromagnetic means for actuating said latch means to move said latch means from latched relation with respect to said follower, a movable blocking member normally disposed in the path of movement of said top package, and an operative connection between said blocking member and said latch means for effecting movement of said blocking member from blocking position with respect to said top package upon movement of said latch means by said solenoid from latched relation with respect to said follower.

2. A machine for vending a package containing a relatively flat phonograph disc comprising a spring-elevated relatively flat supporting table disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and on which a stack of packages may be positioned,

, a guide structure above the table and including roller elements engaging the top package of said stack of packages, a follower carried by the guide structure and movable in a horizontal plane over the stack of packages on said table. and including a blade adapted to engage an adjacent edge of said top package, means for manually moving said follower in a direction relative to said structure to remove said top package, latch means normally latching the follower against such movement, electromagnetic means for actuating said latch means to move said latch means from latched relation with respect to said follower, a movable blocking member normally disposed in the path of movement of said top package, and an operative connection between said blocking member and said latch means for effecting movement of said blocking member from blocking position with respect to said top package upon movement of said latch means by said solenoid from latched relation with respect to said follower.

3. A machine for vending a package containing a relatively flat phonograph disc comprising a spring-elevated relatively flat supporting table disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and on which a stack of packages may be positioned, a guide structure above the table, a follower carried by the guide structure and movable in a horizontal plane over the stack of packages on said table and including a blade adapted to engage an adjacent edge of said top package, means for manually moving said follower in a direction relative to said structure to remove said top package, means for manually moving said follower in a direction relative to said structure to remove said top package, latch means normally latching the follower against such movement, electromagnetic means for actuating said latch means-to move said latch means from latched relation with respect to said follower, a movable blocking member normally disposed in the path of movement of said top package, an operative connection between said blocking member and said latch means for effecting movement of said blocking member from blocking position with respect to said top package upon movement of said latch means by said solenoid from latched relation with respect to said follower, and means for adjusting the position of said blade relative to said adjacent edge of said top package.

4. A machine for vending a package contain ing a relatively flat phonograph disc comprising a spring-elevated relatively flat supporting table disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and on which a stack of packages may be positioned, a guide structure above the table and including roller elements engaging the top package of said stack of packages, a follower carried by the guide structure and movable in a horizontal plane over the stack of packages on said table and including a blade adapted to engage an adjacent edge of said top package, means for manually moving said follower in a direction relative to said structure to remove said top package, means for manually moving said follower in a direction relative to said structure to remove said top package, latch means normally latching the follower against such movement, electromagnetic means for actuating said latch means to move said latchmeans from latched relation with respect to said follower, a movable blocking member normally disposed in the path of movement of said top package, an operative connection between said blocking member and said latch means for effecting movement of said blocking member from blocking position with respect to said top package upon movement of said latch means by said solenoid from latched relation with respect to said follower, and means for adjusting the position of said blade relative to said adjacent edge of said top package.

5. A machine for vending a package containing a relatively flat phonograph disc comprisin a spring-elevated relatively flat supporting table disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and on which a stack of packages may be positioned, a guide structure above the table and including spaced parallelly arranged guide bars having inturned horizontal flanges, a follower having parallel grooved portions for the reception of said horizontal flanges and movable longitudinally of said flanges in a horizontal plane over the stack of packages on said table and including a blade adapted to engage an adjacent edge of the top package of said stack, means for manually moving said follower in a direction relative to said structure to remove said top package. latch means normally latching the follower against such movement, electromagnetic means for actuating said latch means to move said latch means from latched relation with respect to said follower, a movable blocking member normally disposed in the path of movement of said top package, and an operative connection between said blocking member and said latch means for effecting movement of said blocking member from blocking position with respect to said top package upon movement of said latch means by said solenoid from latched relation with respect to said follower.

6. A machine for vending a package containing a relatively flat phonograph disc comprising a spring-elevated relatively flat supporting table disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and on which a stack of packages may be positioned, a guide structure above the table and including spaced parallelly arranged guide bars having inturned horizontal flanges and roller elements engaging the top package of said stack of pack ages, a follower having parallel grooved portions for the reception of said horizontal flange and movable longitudinally of said flanges in a horizontal plane over the stack of packages on said table and including a blade adapted to engage an adjacent edge of the top package of said stack, means for manually moving said follower in a direction. relative to said structure to removesaid' top package, latch means normally latching the follower against such movement, electromagnetic means for actuating said latch means to move said latch means from latched relation With respect to said follower, a movable blocking member normally disposed in the path of movement of said top package; and an; operative connection between said blocking member" and said latch means for effecting movement of said blocking 10 member from blocking position with respect to said top package upon movement of said latch means by'said solenoid from; latched relation with,

respect tosaidiollower;

FORD SE BASTIAN.

References Cited; in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS- Number Name Date 538,173' Loewenbach et al. Apr. 23, 1895 1,578,986" Graves Mar. 30, 1926 2,501,434 Cameron Mar. 21,1950 

